Compare towns

Auburn vs Putney vs Brookline

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Auburn has grown the fastest since 2010 (+20%).
Putney has the most affordable homes ($300k median).
Brookline has the most kids (26.7% under 18).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureAuburnPutneyBrookline
People
Population
6,119Highest
2,622Lowest
5,736
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+20%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+13%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44.3±5.9Highest
14% above U.S.
37.2±5.2Lowest
4% below U.S.
41.2±1.5
6% above U.S.
Auburn and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.3%±4.3
U.S.: 22%
15.4%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
26.7%±4Highest
U.S.: 22%
Brookline and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
13.4%±3.2
U.S.: 17.2%
18.1%±3.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
11.4%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Putney and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
48.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
57.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.2%±4.7
U.S.: 6.4%
20.4%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.3%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$153,253±$6k
90% above U.S.
$79,706±$18kLowest
about the U.S. average
$171,046±$4kHighest
112% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$600,300±$29kHighest
80% above U.S.
$300,000±$44kLowest
10% below U.S.
$544,400±$38k
64% above U.S.
Auburn and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,893±$822
34% above U.S.
$508±$482Lowest
64% below U.S.
$2,500±$1kHighest
77% above U.S.
Brookline and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,092
159% above U.S.
$5,313Lowest
70% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27.6%±27
U.S.: 51.1%
54.2%±19.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
23.8%±43.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Putney and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
16%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
0.6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
72.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
95.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984
4 yrs newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1993Highest
13 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
6% above U.S.
18 minLowest
32% below U.S.
33 minHighest
26% above U.S.
Work from home
26.5%±6.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.9%±6.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
24.7%±5.8
U.S.: 15.1%
Auburn and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #44 of 120 in NH #32 of 70 in VT #23 of 120 in NH
School district Auburn School District Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Brookline School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 6 photos → None yet

U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.